KV Chowdary, the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, said that it is in the process of examining all concerned files regarding the enquiry into the alleged bribery charges against Central benched Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Verma. These were the first comments made by the commission following allegations and counter allegations of bribery charges between Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana.
The Supreme Court had given a window of two weeks to Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to complete probe into the benched Director’s case.
Verma along with an NGO Common Caused moved the top court alleging “brazen government interference” in the functioning of the central agency following the Centre’s “overnight decision” of stripping Verma of all powers and appointing Nageshwar Rao as the interim director. Both Verma and Asthana were asked to go on forced leave by the government.
“The examination of files and records are on. We have not questioned anyone so far. We will take a decision after going through all the documents,” Chowdary said while attending a function. The officer said the court appointed retired judge AK Patnaik, who has been tasked by the court to probe into the case, visits the office on a regular basis.
The late night suggestion from the CVC and then government’s call to bench Director Verma talked of a “top secret note” sent by Asthana. The note said that a key figure in Moin Qureshi case had bribed the Director Rs two crore.
It may be recalled that Verma, while in charge, called for the suspension of Asthana after allegations of bribery surfaced against the Special Director. Following which the government met the two top officers of CBI to hear their side of the stories and then exiled both of them to ensure a fair probe. Verma, peeved at the government’s decision, moved court while Asthana followed suit later on.
ALSO READ: RoC: CBI interim chief M Nageswar Rao’s wife gave Rs 1.14 crore to firm